Apparatus for manufacture of cellulosic products



Jan. 7, 1964 GEER ETAL 3,116,921

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOSIC PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 7, 1.964 H. G- GEER ETAL 3,116,921

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOSIC PRODUCTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1961 1964 H. a. GEER ETAL 3,

A APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOSIC PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 7, 1964 H. G. GEER ETAL 3,116,921

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF CELLULQSIC PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 It 46 l 92 a HOLDING CAM United States Patent 3,116,921 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACT 0F CELLULOSIC PRODUCTS Henry G. Geer, Minneapolis, Minn, Charles .1. Gneiner, Menasha, Wis, and Ronert Zuehlsdorlf, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Kimberly-Clark Corporation,

Neenah, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 132,947 10 Claims. (Cl. 27072) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the transfer of foldable articles into a processing turret.

A primary object of the invention resides in the provision of improved apparatus for the transfer of foldable articles such as sanitary napkins from the discharge end of a conveyor trough or the like into article receiving pockets of a continuously moving turret.

A further object is to provide improved apparatus for the rapid conveyance of =C-folded articles as sequentially positioned in bridging relationship with a discharge trough downwardly through the throat and into an outwardly open pocket of a continuously rotating turret in a manner involutely to fold the article during said transfer.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to persons skilled in the art, as will numerous modifications of the apparatus disclosed herein to illustrate the inventive concept the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like parts are identified by the same reference numerals,

FIG. 1 illustrates in vertical section a device incorporating the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section along line 22, FIG. '1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section in the opposite direction taken along line 33, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates in enlarged diametric section the upper portion of the device shown as taken along line 4-4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 graphically illustrates the configuration and angular position of a fast cam employed in the apparatus.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the relationship of the fast cam of FIG. 5 in respect to a fixed holding cam.

The continuously rotating device generically designated 10, FIG. 1, functions to transfer foldable articles such as sanitary napkins 12 from the discharge end 14- of a conveyor through 16 through a depending throat 18 downwardly into an outwardly open pocket 20' of a turret 22 which continuously rotates on a shaft 24 at a uniform speed. As shown in FIG. 2, trough .16 is provided above throat 18 with a top wall opening 26 through which transfer fingers 28 move downwardly in a circular path to force an article, such as sanitary napkin 12, which has previously been C-fo'lded, into an involute configuration as best shown in FIG. 3 during transfer into turret pocket 20. Folding is effected by constriction of the article by the throat during passage therethrough, a previously nonfolded article receiving a single fold.

Apparatus for actuating fingers 28 between an extended operative postion during travel partially through a circular path and an inoperative retracted position during travel through the remaining portion of the path is shown to the left of FIG. 1, with parts thereof shown in enlarged detail, FIG. 4. A fixed framework 3i} provides support for one end of a shaft 32, as journaled at 34, the opposite shaft end being supported by a framework 36 as journaled at 38. As best shown in FIG. 4, shaft 32 has keyed thereto a pair of spaced spiders 40 and 42. Spider 40* is provided with four bearings 44 in axial alignment with similar bearings 46 in spider 42 for the reciprocal mounting of four rods 43 extending outwardly of the right end of a housing 50, FIG. 4. Fingers 28 are secured by nuts 52 to the extending ends of rods 48. As shaft 32 is driven in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 4, rods 48, hence fingers 28 are axially reciprocated between a retracted position shown at the top of FIG. 4 and an extended position, as shown at the center of the figure, by cam control apparatus later described. Driving power for the unit is sup plied by chain 54 engaging a sprocket 56 fixed to the end of the drive shaft 58, suitably journaled to framework 30 at 6%) and 6-2. Shaft 5-8, adjacent sprocket 56, has keyed thereto a large timing gear 64 and at the opposite end thereof a small timing gear 66. Those gears, which mesh with timing belts 68 and 70 respectively, are of a four to one tooth ratio. Belt 68 is in driving engagement with an annular gear 72, best shown in FIG. 4, rotatably mounted by ball bearing 74 peripherally of spider 42. Belt 70 rivingly engages a gear 76, fixed to the end of shaft 32 for the rotation of spiders 4i and 42 and their associated structure. The reduction ratio between drive shaft 58 and driven shaft 32 as established by gears 66 and 76 is four to one, while annular gear 72 is rotated by belt 68 at the speed of shaft $8. Hence annular gear 72 is driven in the direction of spiders 40, 42 but at four times the spider speed.

Each rod 48 has fixed thereto a smaller diametrically positioned rod 78 provided at its inner end with a guide bearing Si} and at its outer end with two spaced cam follower bearings 82, 84. Spider 42 is provided with a skeletonized cup-like element 86, FIG. 3, consisting of four axially extending circumferentially spaced segments 83 defining therebetween four guide channels 99, through which guide bearings move during axial reciprocation of rods 48. The function of guide channels and guide bearings St is solely to prevent rotation of rods 48 within bearings 44, 46, since it is desirable to retain fingers 28 in like position. Annular gear 72 has fixed to the inner side thereof, FIG. 4, a cylindrical cam member 92, as by cap screws 94. Cam 92 includes a coplanar surface, as illustrated in FIG. 5, which extends throughout all but 46 of a 360 path as shown at 92a, FIG. 4. A single cam lobe 100, FIG. 5, rises through a 23 arc to the base height 92b.

As best shown in FIG. 6, a fixed holding cam or track 98 extends through a 240 arc about the circular path of movement of cam 92, said track 98 lying within a common plane transversely of the cage assembly. Bearings 84 ride along track 98 through a 240 arc to prevent rods 48 from moving under bias of spring 97 from a retracted to an extended position as shown respectively in the upper and central portions of FIG. 4. Cam 92 rotates at four times the speed of the spider assembly which carries rods 48, and is synchronized with the spider rotation to position the crest of the single lobe 160 thereof, FIG. 5, in registry with end 192 of track 98- as shown dotted in FIG. 6. Thus as bearing 84 leaves the end of track 98- the inwardly positioned bearing 82 engages the crest of the cam lobe 100 to prevent immediate extension of rod 48 under the bias of spring 96. However as lobe 100 continues clockwise rotation, as viewed in 'FIG. 6, at four times the spider speed, follower bearing 82 rapidly moves down the trailing portion of lobe 100 to the lower surface 92a of the fast cam 92 where it rides along that surface until cam 92 has completed a major portion of one revolution and bearing 82 starts to ride up the forward portion of the lobe 100.

Due to differential rotational speeds between the fast cam 92 and the spider assembly, cam 92 thus completes a revolution during each 90 of cage rotation. Cam 92 rotates only 23 beyond the end 102 of track 98 to effect complete extension of shaft 48 and its associated finger 28, hence such extension is rapidly effected due to the rotational speed of cam 92. As viewed in 'FIG. 3, finger 28 is thus fully extended prior-to its movement through aperture 26 of conveyor trough 16. Finger 28 requires retraction after napkin 12 has been fully deposited into a pocket 20 of turret 22 to prevent interference with further turret rotation, and such retraction must be quite rapid.

As shown in FIG. 6, track 98 encircles the path of fast cam 92 to the extent of 240, leaving an arc of 120 between the ends 102, 104 of the track. As above mentioned lobe we of cam 92 moves into registry with end 192 of track 98 as hearing 84, associated with each shaft 48, arrives at the track end 102, at which position bearing 82 contacts lobe mil to ride down the trailing side thereof and permit smooth cam controlled extension of finger 28. As lobe 100 thereafter passes in registry with end 104 of track 98, bearing 82 still rides along the lower surface of cam 92, but as lobe 1W completes nearly an additional revolution thereafter in respect to track end HM, bearing 82 moves into a position to be lifted upwardly by the forward surface of lobe 105) and as crest ltltl moves into registry with track end 104, bearing 84 is transferred back onto track 98.

Cam 92 must rotate through an arc of 120 plus one complete revolution of 360 for a total of 480 between the bearing take-off position adjacent track end 162 and the position adjacent track end 194 to reposition bearing 84 back onto the track. During movement through that arc, each finger 28 is smoothly but rapidly cam controlled first into a fully extended position (within the first 23 of movement of cam 92) and later is rapidly returned to a retracted position during the last 5.75 of its movement toward track end 104. Since cam. 92 rotates at four times the speed of the spider assembly, extension and subsequent retraction of fingers 28 is effected during one quarter of a total of 46 of finger rotation. .Thus a total are of 1l.5 is required for both extension and later retraction, or a .75 are each for hearing take-off and bearing repositioning on track 98 by the fast cam 92, as angularly illustrated in FIG. 6. Fingers 28 remain fully extended during their movement through an arc of 108.5. Since fingers 28 rotate at one quarter the speed of cam 92, they move completely through the arc of 120 between track ends 102, 104 in synchronism with the rotation of fast cam 92 completely through the 480 path required for fully extended prior to movement through the article position, and thereafter full retraction and repositioning on track 98.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each finger 28 is thus fully extended prior to movement through the article positioning trough 16 and throat 13 thereof to assume that position during movement through a required are of 108.5", after which it is rapidly extracted. .The relative rotational speed of fast cam 92 in respect to the rotational speed of fingers 28 thus efiect both take-off and repositioning of follower bearing 84 in a very small arc of finger rotation while utilizing a cam lobe of acceptable slope. t

The above structure has been illustrated in respect to a precise embodiment of the invention, it being understood that neither the number of fingers employed, the cam dimensions or configuration, nor the rotational arcs involved are critical, hence may be varied without departure from the inventive concepts as defined in the following claims.

In the claims:

1. In combination, a continuously rotating pocketed article processing turret, means positioned radially outwardly thereof for the support of foldable articles within the plane of turret rotation prior to sequential transfer into the turret pockets, continuously rotatable means for effecting sequential transfer of articles from said supporting means to successive turret pockets, said article transfer means comprising a cage-like structure mounted for rotation about an axis in parallel spaced relation to the turret axis, an elongate rod-like element slidably journaled to said cage in parallel spaced relation to the cage axis for movement of one end thereof to and from the plane of turret rotation, and cam operable means including an annular cam rotatably supported by said cage structure for relative rotation concentrically with respect to the cage, and means for driving said cam at a multiple of the rotational speed of said cage for rapidly positioning said rod end within the plane of turret rotation during a portion of each cage revoltuion to effect article transfer from said support means into a turret pocket.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cam operable means includes a cam follower fixed to said elongate element for axial reciprocation of said element by "said annular cam, fixed cam track extending about a major portion of the path of cage rotation, and a second cam follower fixed to said elongate element at a position to engage said fixed track and prevent axial movement of said element into the plane of the turret during the rotation of the cage through a major portion of each revolution.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said cage is provided with four slidably mounted elongate elements positioned in ninety degree angularity within a common circle transversely of said cage, each said element having a fixed cam follower positioned to engage said fixed track, and a cam follower in registry with said annular cam.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said annular cam is rotationally driven at four times the speed of said cage, and comprises a co-planar portion extending throughout a major portion of its circumference and a single substantially symmetrical lobe extending axially therefrom.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said fixed cam track is positioned transversely of said cage structure and in substantial registry with the crest of the lobe of said annular cam.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pocketed turret and an apertured article support positioned radially outwardly of said turret, of means for the sequential transfer of articles from saidv fixed sup-* port into the pockets of said turret, said means comprising a rotatably mounted elongate finger positioned for movement through an arcuate path in the plane of said turret and through the aperture of said article support to effect article transfer to said turret, and cam operable means including an annular cam rotatably supported by said cage structure for relative rotation concentrically with respect to the cage, and means for driving said cam at a multiple of the rotational speed of said cage for rapidly withdrawing said finger to effect rapid longitudinal withdrawal thereof from the plane of said turret following article deposit into a turret pocket and subsequent repositioning of said finger into the plane of said turret immediately prior to subsequent rotation of said finger through said article positioning device.

7. The combination vn'th a pocketed turret and means outwardly therefrom for positioning articles to be deposited in the turret pockets, of a cage structure mounted for rotation about an axis in spaced parallel relation to the turret axis, a plurality of rod-like elements journaled in circumferentially spaced and axially displaceable relation to said cage, means biasing said elements toward the plane of turret rotation, an annular cam rotatably mounted peripherally of said cage and including a single lobe extending from a minor portion of the cam circumference, means for rotatably driving said cage at a fixed speed, and means synchronized with said first mentioned means for rotatably driving said cam in the direction of cage rotation at four times the cage speed, a cam track fixed to said cage and extending in a transverse plane about a major portion of the cage periphery, and cam followers fixed to each of said rod-like elements at positions for registry respectively with said annular cam and said fixed cam track, whereby said rod-like elements are constrained against axial displacement in one direction during track engagement by one follower during a major portion of each cage revolution, and are subjected to cam controlled axial reciprocation during engagement between a second follower and said annular cam through a minor remaining portion of each cage revolution.

8. A device of the character described having in subcombination a rotatably mounted cage-like structure comprising a driven shaft, a pair of axially spaced spiders mounted on said shaft and provided with a plurality of axially aligned circumferentially spaced bearings, a rodlike element slidably disposed in each set of aligned bearings, means biasing said elements in a. common axial direction, a cam track [fixed to said structure and extending through a major peripheral portion thereof in a plane normal to the axis of shaft rotation, a cam follower fixed to each said element in registry with said track for engagement by followers to constrain said elements against axial displacement in the biased direction during rotation of said structure through a major portion of a revolution, and cam controlled means including an annular cam rotatably mounted peripherally of said structure for relative rotation concentrically with respect to said cage structure, and driven at a multiple of the rotational speed of said structure to effect rapid axial displacement of said elements during the remaining portion of complete revolution of said structure.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said annular cam comprises a major co-planar portion and a minor substantially symmetrical lobe portion, said major portion being positioned in spaced parallel relation to said cam track, said lobe portion terminating in an apex positioned substantially in registry with said cam track.

10. In combination, a peripherally pocketed rotatable member, a rotatably mounted cage, an article transfer element slidably supported by said cage for rotation through a circular path closely adjacent and laterally of the path of rotation of said member, means for the continuous rotation of said member and said element in a like direc tion, and cam operable means rotatably supported by said cage effecting rapid projection of said element into the path of rotation of said member upon arrival of said element at a minor segment of its circular path and rapid withdrawal therefrom upon completion of movement through said path segment, said cam means comprising a single lobe annular cam rotatably driven through a circumferential path adjacent the path of rotation of said element at four times the rotational speed of said element, a cam follower carried by said element in registry 'with said lobe to effect rapid actuation of said element between positions within and laterally of the path of member rotation, and means comprising a fixed cam track extending circumferentially through a major segment of said path and a second cam follower carried by said element in a track contacting position to retain said element laterally of the path of member rotation during movement thereof through said major path segment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3,l16 92l January 7 1964 Henry G. Geer et alt.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 44 for "fully extended prior tormovement through the article" read full extension continued move ment in an extended column 4L line 8, for "revoltuion" read revolution Signed and sealed this 2nd day of June 1964,

(SEAL) Attestf ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN COMBINATION, A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING POCKETED ARTICLE PROCESSING TURRET, MEANS POSITIONED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREOF FOR THE SUPPORT OF FOLDABLE ARTICLES WITHIN THE PLANE OF TURRET ROTATION PRIOR TO SEQUENTIAL TRANSFER INTO THE TURRET POCKETS, CONTINUOUSLY ROTATABLE MEANS FOR EFFECTING SEQUENTIAL TRANSFER OF ARTICLES FROM SAID SUPPORTING MEANS TO SUCCESSIVE TURRET POCKETS, SAID ARTICLE FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION TO THE TURRET AXIS AN ELONGATE ROD-LIKE ELEMENT SLIDABLY JOURNALED TO SAID CAGE IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION TO THE CAGE AXIS FOR MOVEMENT OF ONE END THEREOF TO AND FROM THE PLANE OF TURRET ROTATION, AND CAM OPERABLE MEANS INCLUDING AN ANNULAR CAM ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID CAGE STRUCTURE FOR RELATIVE ROTATION CONCENTRICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE CAGE, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CAM AT A MULTIPLE OF THE ROTATIONAL SPEED OF SAID CAGE FOR RAPIDLY POSITIONING SAID ROD END WITHIN THE PLANE OF TURRET ROTATION DURING A PORTION OF EACH CAGE REVOLTUION TO EFFECT ARTICLE TRANSFER FROM SAID SUPPORT MEANS INTO A TURRET POCKET. 